ABSTRACT This study investigates the characteristics of informal immigrant entrepreneurship within the city of Johannesburg, South Africa. It pays special attention to how social capital facilitates immigrant entrepreneurship success. Given the complex operational and economic environment, the study also sought to understand how immigrant entrepreneurs handle the challenges associated with access to resources, which they face daily. Drawing on twenty qualitative interviews, the findings show that social capital offers support mechanisms that compensate for structural exclusion from formal systems. In the context of growing tensions and competition in the informal economy, the research underscores the need for more inclusive network-building between immigrant and local entrepreneurs to foster social cohesion and shared economic benefit. The findings have implications for policy interventions targeting informal trade, migrant inclusion, and local development in South African urban economies

ABSTRACT As South Africa enters the fourth decade since the end of apartheid, progress in addressing historical inequalities and improving access to educational and employment opportunities appears to be mixed. This paper analyses a pooled cross-sectional dataset covering most of the post-apartheid period to examine aggregate trends in educational and employment outcomes. These outcomes are explored further through the construction of a set of pseudo-cohorts that experienced the post-apartheid period at different stages of the life cycle. The findings suggest that there is some evidence of progress, particularly in relation to education. However, improvements in labour market outcomes have been elusive over the period. Employment and unemployment rates were almost unchanged across four cohorts of South Africans that would have been expected to experience different labour market conditions. Such findings highlight the truly sclerotic nature of the South African labour market and its limitations in contributing to transformation and reducing inequality.

ABSTRACT This research employs the concept of rurbanisation to elucidate the transformation of two villages: one, a traditional settlement with a history spanning more than a century, and the other, a comparatively recent establishment. The study aimed to illuminate the factors underlying the observed changes, examine the distinctive features of these evolving villages, and analyse the way these elements were incorporated into the municipal plans. The research utilised qualitative methods, encompassing observations and interviews, while also engaging with local municipal development strategies. The findings indicate that a key feature of rurbanisation in KwaZulu-Natal is the significant increase in housing development, frequently motivated by the demand for both family residences and rental accommodations. This study argues that housing is an embodiment of the unvoiced aspirations of rural inhabitants for dignified and liveable settlements. The study recognises the limitations such as subjectivity and context specificity, which could influence the applicability of its conclusions.

ABSTRACT Twenty-nine per cent of children in South Africa are stunted, influenced by inadequate dietary diversity and low breastfeeding rates. Despite existing regulations, commercial milk formula companies continue to influence infant feeding practices. This study applies a Commercial Determinants of Health (CDoH) model to a case analysis of the Nestlé Stokvel webinar and the Not Today Nestlé campaign. Document review and expert reflections revealed that the Stokvel webinar – a single marketing event – engaged all levels of the CDoH model, demonstrating how commercial activities may contribute to stunting. The Not Today Nestlé campaign illustrated civil society’s capacity to hold corporations accountable, emphasising the need for relatable messaging, strategic collaboration, and long-term advocacy. The findings underscore how marketing practices distort recommended feeding norms, reinforcing structural contributors to child stunting in South Africa.

ABSTRACT Safely managed sanitation (SDG 6.2) remains a challenge in flood-prone peri-urban settlements, where environmental, infrastructural, and governance constraints intersect. This study examines household sanitation in Chipangara Ward, Beira (Mozambique), using surveys (n = 52), facility inspections, and stakeholder interviews. While previous studies focused on cities like Maputo, Beira’s flood-exposed informal settlements remain under-researched. Findings reveal that 78% of households rely on unlined pit latrines, 65% report seasonal overflow, and 61% have pits within 10 m of shallow wells. Barriers to upgrading include insecure tenure, high emptying costs, and poor drainage. Alternating twin-pit pour-flush systems emerged as the most acceptable option (62%), though uptake is constrained by limited technical capacity and weak institutional support. Although based on 2015–2016 data, cholera outbreaks and infrastructure failures reinforce policy relevance. We argue for phased investments in flood-resilient sanitation, paired with land tenure reform, co-planned drainage, and technical assistance to reduce fecal exposure and enhance resilience.

ABSTRACT Residents’ perceptions with respect to tourism developments and conservation interventions in protected areas are rarely considered when considering the development of nature-based destinations. A qualitative study was conducted involving focus groups consisting of (all Masai tribe people residing in the greater Maasai Mara). Results show that residents are largely aware of the benefits of wildlife tourism to the community. However, they are sensitive about conservation interventions that disregard their traditional practices. The results also revealed vulnerabilities and a need to reflect on the status of residents’ attitudes towards and perceptions of tourism development and conservation interventions. This study therefore extends existing research knowledge by highlighting factors which influence residents’ current positive and negative perceptions of wildlife conservation interventions and deriving some implications for inclusive conservation and tourism development strategies in protected areas from the perspective of residents.

ABSTRACT The Covid-19 pandemic led to a significant, although temporary, expansion of social protection across sub-Saharan Africa. Policy makers were quick to label this as a turning point in terms of social cash transfer (SCT) coverage, payment systems and digitization. However, there was significant country-level variation within Africa. This paper traces the development of Namibia’s SCT payment system from the pre-Covid period until 2024. The findings show that Covid-19 did not constitute a critical juncture for the long-term adoption of mobile SCT payments, due to concerns over the age and technological literacy of regular SCT recipients, as well as limited infrastructure. This mirrors similar developments across sub-Saharan Africa and indicates a high degree of path dependency in payment systems as much as in SCT design generally. Despite the existence of various permissive and conducive conditions, mobile SCT payments are therefore unlikely to be adopted in Namibia in the near future.

ABSTRACT In South Africa, approximately one in four children under the age of five is stunted (NDoH, Stats SA, SAMRC & ICF, 2019) – a rate that has remained persistently high. The enduring social and economic impact of stunting, coupled with rising food prices, underscores the need for interventions that are both effective and affordable. This review synthesises global evidence on strategies for children aged 6–24 months and evaluates their suitability within South Africa’s social, fiscal, and institutional realities. Two approaches emerge as most promising short-term strategies: (i) nutrition education that equips caregivers and communities to adopt age-appropriate complementary feeding, and (ii) small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) – 100-kcal, minimally processed nutrient-dense pastes rich in healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. Evidence indicates that these approaches can prevent undernutrition and foster linear growth when delivered at scale. These measures could yield rapid, affordable gains, but they must operate alongside longer-term structural reforms.

ABSTRACT This study explores the cost implications of digital versus traditional cash delivery in Tanzania’s Productive Social Safety Net (PSSN) programme, focusing on Iringa District. Using survey data from 385 beneficiaries and a Multinomial Endogenous Switching Regression (MESR) model, we evaluate travel and waiting times associated with bank and mobile-based electronic transfers compared to manual cash disbursement. While digital payments reduce waiting time, they increase travel time due to limited financial infrastructure and liquidity shortages in rural areas. These findings confirm that digital systems improve transaction speed but also reveal implementation gaps that may undermine efficiency. Without adequate access to financial services, digitalisation can shift costs onto beneficiaries, limiting its intended benefits. This study contributes to ongoing policy debates on social protection reform and digital public service delivery in low-resource settings, emphasising the need for complementary investments in local infrastructure to ensure equitable and efficient development outcomes.